Grey mold is a noble rot fungus that can affect more than 235 host plants. Unfortunately, even the otherwise robust sedums are not resistant. In this article we will show you how you can recognize the fungal disease and how you can get rid of it quickly.
Why does the stonecrop get gray mold?
As a rule, a toomoist locationin combination with quitewarm temperatures allows the unsightly fungal lawn to grow. Since wind and spray water cause the fungal spores of the fungus Botrytis cinerea to spread widely, the disease is unfortunately widespread.
Why does gray mold damage the sedum so much?
In the parts of the plant affected by gray moldthe fungus triggersprogrammed cell death. This can weaken the sedum to such an extent that it… arrives.
This process is technically called apoptosis. The term comes from Greek and is made up of the words apo (ab) and ptosis (to fall) and describes the death of plant cells that is typical of this disease.
How do I recognize gray mold infestation?
The infestation with gray mold can be recognized by the following features in addition to thegrayish, unsightly fungal lawn:
- Gray-brown spots on leaves, stems and flowers of the sedum.
- The flower base is starting to rot.
- A mouse-gray coating covers individual parts of the plant.
What can I do about gray mold?
If you discover gray mold on the sedum, you need toact quickly:
- Cut off all affected plant parts with a sharp knife or scissors and disinfect the cutting tool after work.
- Since the fungal spores in compost are not reliably killed, place the clippings in an airtight bag with household waste.
- There are approved fungicides that work well against gray mold. However, they should only be used if all other control measures are unsuccessful.
How can I prevent gray mold on the sedum?
Fat hens are among the very robust plants that arerarelyattacked by gray moldin the right location.
You can also prevent it as follows:
- The perennials should not be planted too close together. If the air can circulate well between the individual plants and the leaves dry quickly after a rain shower, the fungus cannot find a suitable breeding ground.
- Injections with horsetail broth can be helpful because they strengthen the cell walls.
- As a preventative measure, you can also dust the succulents with rock dust.
Tip
Fertilize sedum hens sparingly
Do not over-fertilize sedums, because if there is an excess of nitrogen, the plants develop soft shoots that are susceptible to gray mold infestation. In the bed, the thick-leaf plants often do not need to be fertilized at all. It is enough to provide them with some compost in the spring. Fat hens in the bucket receive half the dose of a flowering plant fertilizer every four to six weeks.
